Secrets of Our House by Rea Frey

Release: February 8th 2022
Format: Paperback
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

A thrilling domestic drama set against the power of the wilderness, Secrets of Our House is a deeply-felt novel of long-held secrets and the strength of family.

Desi is the mastermind behind her dream getaway house. Nestled high into the mountains of North Carolina, it is a sleek place, a luxurious place, a dark place.

A place full of secrets.

Secrets about the man she longs for, a man who is not her husband. Secrets about the roots of her family that must never, ever, see the light of day. When Desi and her family arrive from Chicago to spend the summer in the mountains, the seeds for the tumultuous months to follow are planted–her marriage on the rocks, not knowing which way they’ll go. Her seventeen year-old daughter Jules, falling in love for the first time with a local boy–and forging a new path that will take her to uncharted places. And Carter–a man Desi knew long ago, before she expunged him from her life for good.

All hurtling toward events none of them can undo.

Engaging, propulsive, and with a dramatic, heart-pounding final act, Secrets of Our House is a dazzling novel, richly-drawn, that shows no matter how hard outside forces may shake you, the bonds of family are stronger than the harshest winds

About the Author:

Rea Frey is an award-winning author of several nonfiction books and the novels Not Her Daughter, Because You’re Mine, and Until I Find You.

She is also the founder and CEO of Writeway, which teaches writers about the business of publishing—not just the craft.

She lives in Nashville with her husband and daughter.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Secrets of Our House Review:

The author sets the suspense and foreboding of the tale slowly yet effectively. As soon as you start reading about Desi, Jules, and Peter, you wonder what secrets are lurking in the corner that could jeopardize the family. On the one hand, an old flame, Carter returns, and on the other hand, Tommy enters the picture. Add to that, Desi has to meet Will’s family, and you see the various emotions she goes through. The author writes the drama so well that you don’t know what will happen to these characters.

Secondly, the author writes the characters beautifully. Honestly, I was not too fond of Desi in the lead. She is overprotective towards Jules and does not let her live her life. Desi has her secrets and comes across as selfish, putting her feelings first with Peter and Jules. It’s not when things take a turn for the worse that she realizes how self-absorbed she has been. However, the author does add a few twists and shocking revelations that I did not expect. Some memorable moments in the story are when Ava gets attacked, when Desi meets Lenore, or reunites with Carter and brings him home.

At the same time, I adored Jules, and for me, the story sparked because of her presence. I loved her feelings for Will, bravery, skills to survive in the wild, and complex feelings towards Desi. I would have also felt the betrayal she feels from Desi if Desi was my mother. Also, I enjoyed how the author wrote the dynamics between Desi, Jules, and Peter. Moreover, I felt the author didn’t fully utilize characters like Tommy, Haley, and Carter to add more oomph into the tale.

Overall, “Secrets of Our House” is a dramatic tale that will hook you because of the characters.